ONE of Sydney’s most grand and historic homestead estates has just hit the market for the first time in almost 20 years.
The owners affectionately call it Horningsea Resort as the six-bedroom mansion at 14 Horningsea Park Drive is nothing short of an impressive classic landmark estate.
Horningsea Park House in south west Sydney was built circa 1830-1839 by Lieutenant Joshua John Moore.
This stunning example of Georgian architecture once sat on 200ha of prime agricultural land and was once the home of Polish explorer and discoverer of Mount Kosciuszko, Count Paul Strzelecki.
The original grant by Governor Lachlan Macquarie of 200ha and eight convict labourers was to Joshua John Moore who became the first pastoralist and grazier on land which is now Canberra.
He named the land Horningsea Park after his home town of Horningsea in England.
Today Horningsea Park House is privately positioned on 9089sqm of landscaped and manicured gardens complete with massive Bunya pines, Moreton Bay Figs, Peppercorn Trees and Chinese Weeping Elms.
Dr David Webster, and wife Samantha plus their three school age children, have called Horningsea Park House home for almost 20 years.
Dr Webster, a former academic and company founder and managing director of WebIT / ListOnce said, Horningsea Park House was “like an oasis”.
The Websters love the huge north facing courtyard and U-shaped verandah surrounding which was bathed all day in sunshine and gardenia fragrance.
“It’s very close to everything here - just 25 minutes drive to airport, or direct access via trains and easy driving to CBD or north / south since we're so close to the junction of the M5/M7,” Dr Webster said.
“It’s a quiet suburb and we are within walking distance to Carnes Hill shops and restaurants.”
In 2004 Horningsea Park House underwent its largest transformation with a superb and carefully considered renovation and extension designed by heritage architect Howard Tanner.
Ray White Macarthur Group associate director Brendan Lappan said the addition of the east and west wings to the original homestead was seamless.
“All of the history, character and integrity has been retained while being transformed into an exquisite modern day residence and business premises,” Mr Lappan said.
“The grounds of Horningsea Park House are nothing short of spectacular.
“This is a landmark home in this area, long admired it for it’s immense style and grandeur yet it is a very practical family home with all the mod cons.”
Mr Lappan said he expects Horningsea Park House to be attractive to an executive family or extended families or a business owner.
Dr Webster initially ran his IT company from one wing until it’s eight staff outgrew the premises.
“However you could easily cater for up to 16 staff if using both wings, even more if the main house was also used,” Dr Webster said.
There was agreement with the local council which allowed for a restaurant, cafe, boutique pub/bistro, function centre, small corporate headquarters or a sales office to be housed at the mansion estate.
The property is for sale via an expressions of interest campaign.
“Horningsea Park is an impressive and prominently sited landmark dating from the 1830s. Once one of the finest homes in the Liverpool district, Horningsea Park was among those hallowed specimens of colonial architecture visited and drawn by William Hardy Wilson in the early years of this century. The building has direct links with prominent figures in Australian history. Despite extensive reconstruction and modifications, the building still retains many of its essential aesthetic qualities.”
Media Contact
Ray White Macarthur Group
Associate partner
Brendan Lappan
brendan.lappan@raywhite.com
0405 490 188Alex Tilbury
Ray White Media Manager
0413 842 112
atilbury@raywhite.com
